Arizona Launches Initiative to Benchmark Every K-12 School for Energy EfficiencyAbstract: The Arizona Energy Office, in cooperation with the State of Arizona School Facilities Board, is launching the K-12 Benchmarking Initiative in an effort to benchmark every school building in the state. The goal is for each school to obtain an ENERGY STAR rating. School facilities managers will start by entering energy data for each school into the ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager, which is a national database of energy consumption in schools. This tool allows school facilities managers to compare the energy efficiency of their schools with others. Using these data and recommendations from the Arizona Energy Office and ENERGY STAR, school managers can develop a plan to prioritize investments in energy efficiency. The next step is to carry out the plan, and finally, to evaluate progress. The ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager guides schools through each of these steps.Source: U.S. Dept. of Energy State Energy ProgramURL:http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/state_energy_program/update/project_detail.cfm/pb_id=1311

Greening America's Schools: Costs and Benefits [PDF]Abstract: Written by Gregory Kats, this report is intended to answer this fundamental question: how much more do green schools cost, and is greening schools cost effective? This report documents the financial costs and benefits of green schools compared to conventional schools. This national review of 30 green schools demonstrates that green schools cost less than 2% more than conventional schools - or about $3 per square foot ($3/ft2) - but provide financial benefits that are 20 times as large. Greening school design provides an extraordinarily cost-effective way to enhance student learning, reduce health and operational costs and, ultimately, increase school quality and competitiveness. (PDF Format; Length: 24 pages)Source: Capital EURL:http://www.cap-e.com/ewebeditpro/items/O59F9819.pdf

Greening SchoolsAbstract: Greening Schools is a joint project of the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) and the Illinois Waste Management and Research Center (WMRC). This program is designed to assist schools with improving physical environmental conditions, while also providing teachers with standards-based tools to introduce concepts of waste reduction and pollution prevention to students. The program offers free technical assistance to all Illinois schools, public and private. The program?s Web site offers pollution prevention, waste reduction, energy efficiency, and related resources for all school personnel, including teachers, administrators, and facility managers. Source: IEPA & WMRCURL:http://www.greeningschools.org

Illinois Sustainable Schools Compact [PDF]Abstract: The Illinois Sustainable Schools Compact program launched on January 31, 2008 features best practices that K-12 schools can voluntarily pursue to achieve greater environmental sustainability. Schools as well as districts can check off up to 12 practices to participate, including things on the list the school or district is already doing. Those who wish to participate should print two copies of the compact, have the principal sign the documents after checking off practices the school is now pursuing and aims to pursue, then mail both copies to: Office of the Lieutenant Governor, Attn: Jon Zirkle, Thompson Center, 100 W. Randolph, Suite 15-200, Chicago, IL 60601-3220. Lt. Governor Quinn will sign both copies, keep one on file, then mail one copy back to the school.Source: Office of the Lt. Governor of IllinoisURL:http://www.standingupforillinois.org/pdf/green/sustainable_school_compact_012908.pdf

National Clearinghouse for Educational Facilities (NCEF)Abstract: Created in 1997 by the U.S. Department of Education, the National Clearinghouse for Educational Facilities (NCEF) provides information on planning, designing, funding, building, improving, and maintaining safe, healthy, high performance schools. The NCEF site provides extensive resource lists on various topics, which are grouped into the following broad categories: Preplanning, Planning, Design, School Spaces, School Grounds, Case Studies, Safe Schools, Healthy Schools, High Performance Schools, Technology, Materials & Equipment, School Construction, Financing, Building & Operating Costs, and Maintenance & Operations.Source: National Institute of Building SciencesURL:http://www.edfacilities.org/

School DesignsAbstract: New school designs includes case studies and examples of new schools. Challenges as well as designs are listed. The gallery offers an option to explore all or you can select the appropriate grade level and the state. Source: School Designs.ComURL:http://www.schooldesigns.com/

School Operations and Maintenance: Best Practices for Controlling Energy Costs [PDF]Abstract: Prepared by Princeton Energy Resource International, HPowell Energy Associates and the Alliance to Save Energy, this guidebook is designed for K-12 school system business officials and facilities managers. It is designed to meet the specific needs of school district staff for integrating energy efficiency into school building operation and maintenance by not only providing technical information, but also organizational information on barriers, challenges, and the necessary steps required to develop this type of energy management program within the school district organizational structure. The guide also provides case studies and identifies common practices that have been successful in a wide variety of American school districts. (PDF Format; Length: 132 pages)Source: PERI, HPowell Energy Associates, ASEURL:http://www.ase.org/uploaded_files/greenschools/School%20Energy%20Guidebook_9-04.pdf

Schools for Energy Efficiency (SEE)Abstract: Schools for Energy Efficiency (SEE) is a comprehensive program to help K-12 schools save energy and money by changing behavior throughout the district. SEE provides a systemized plan, awareness materials, training, and utility tracking for immediate and sustainable savings. SEE provides schools with the strategies, resources, and support necessary to implement an energy management program. The program is meant to be flexible and can be customized to fit the needs of your school district. Though the program primarily serves school districts in Minnesota, districts from other states are welcome to inquire about the program as well.Source: Hallberg Engineering, Inc.URL:http://www.seeprograms.com/

Sustainable Flooring: Successful Community Partnerships Build Sustainable School BuildingsAbstract: Poudre School District in Fort Collins, Colo., embarked on a mission: to work with designers in creating a high-performance school that not only set new standards in education facility design, but also stayed within the restraints of a typical school budget. To achieve this goal, the district chose to pursue Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification for its new Fossil Ridge High School. The result: A state-of-the-art, 290,000-square-foot building with capacity for 1,800 students--all of whom will learn in an environmentally responsible, healthy building that's saving the school district money. Case study written by Lee H. Schilling. Source: Environmental Design + Construction (EDC) Magazine, May 20, 2008; also available in the print June 2008 edition of the magazine.Source: Environmental Design + Construction (EDC) MagazineURL:http://www.edcmag.com/CDA/Articles/Sustainable_Flooring/BNP_GUID_9-5-2006_A_10000000000000341474

The NEED ProjectAbstract: The mission of the National Energy Education Development Project is to promote an energy conscious and educated society by creating effective networks of students, educators, business, government and community leaders to design and deliver objective, multi-sided energy education programs.Source: National Energy Education DevelopmentURL:http://www.need.org/

USGBC Build Green SchoolsAbstract: Launched on October 16, 2007 by the U.S. Green Building Council, this site is filled with profiles of schools that have already gone green, examples of policies governments and school districts have instituted to ensure future schools are green, and a social networking site for visitors to share their experiences, best practices, and creative ideas. The "Resources" section includes videos and slideshows, project profiles, publications, links to research related to green school buildings and their benefits, and links to related green building web sites. A special section outlines LEED for schools and related resources, including a link to a free LEED for Schools 101 online course.Source: U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC)URL:http://www.buildgreenschools.org/

The Western Sustainability and Pollution Prevention Network (WSPPN) is a cooperative alliance of pollution prevention (P2) programs throughout EPA Region 9 (Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Trust Territories, and Tribal Lands). The network serves as a technical resource for regional P2 issues through researching, consolidating, and disseminating P2 information. WSPPN was established in 1997 and is run as a service provided by The Business Environmental Program (BEP) at the University of Nevada, Reno.